Choquequirao Trekking 5 days

Choquequirao Trekking 5 days

Choquequirao Trekking, It is located in the district of Vilcabamba, on the skirts of the snowcapped mount Yanacocha, in the province of La Convencion. The highway to Abancay gets you here from Cusco. In kilometer 154 a detour is taken to the town of Cachora; there a 30 km road made on horseback or trekking takes you to the archaeological center that has an importance comparable to Machu Picchu. according to the specialists, it would have been a religious, political and economic enclave as well as a commercial and cultural link between the coast, the highlands and the jungle, built during the command of Inca Pachacutec. It is divided into nine sector and its architectura is distributed around a large area or main square. It includes hundreds of agricultural terraces, rooms and irrigation systems.

Full Itinerary : Choquequirao Trekking

Early in the morning, a scenic drive of 4 hours takes us to the village of Cachora where we meet our muleteers (arrieros). We begin our trek of approximately 2 hours to the pass of Kapuiyoq (2800m // 9,186feet) where we catch our first astounding view of the Apurimac river canyon and the snowcapped peaks around it. A 3 hour descent brings us to a our first campsite en Chiquiska (1800m // 5.905feet)

Number of hours of trekking: 5h a 6h

Ascent

Descent

Lodging: Overnight camping in tent.

LD

2

Day 2: Chiquiska - Choquequirao(3250m / 10,662feet)

After breakfast we begin descending all while appreciating the magnificent scenery of the Apurimac canyon until reaching 1495m of altitude. From there we pass over the modern hanging bridge suspended above the Apurimac river. At this point we begin a long and arduous ascent of 5 hours’ duration to arrive at our destination: the beautiful archaeological complex of Choquequirao. Our arrival coincides with an incredible sunset over the snow-capped peaks, followed by a delicious dinner and a well-earned rest in our campsite (3000m)

Number of hours of trekking: 6h to 7h

Ascent

Descent

Lodging: Overnight camping in tent.

BLD

3

Day 3: Choquequirao

Today we visit the restored sections of the ruins and we explore the areas recently discovered which are being excavated and restored by COPESCO.

After lunch we have an optional visit to the Casa Cascada (about 300m below Choquequirao) and spend an entertaining afternoon partaking of a Pachamanca (typical Andean meal cooked in a sunken earth oven). From the Usno -highest point in the ruins- we again appreciate the sunset over the magical Canyon of the Apurimac, surrounded by the various Apus or tutelary mountains of the region. With a bit of luck we shall see a condor, in all his magnificence, bidding farewell to the Sun God.

Lodging: Overnight camping in tent.

B/Pachamanca/D

4

Day 4: Choquequirao - Cocamazana

After a delicious breakfast we begin our return journey, descending to the Apurimac River where we stop for lunch. An ascent lasting 3hrs brings us to our campsite in Cocamazana. From here we enjoy one last spectacular sunset before dinner.

Number of hours of trekking: 5h to 6h

Ascent

Descent

Lodging: Overnight camping in tent.

BLD

5

Day 5: Cocamazana - Cachora - Cusco

Today we begin early in order to avoid the intense sun, climbing for about 2 hours, leaving the Valley behind until reaching the Pass of Kapuliyoq (2800 m). From here a gentler trail leads us to the town of Cachora where we arrive around noon.

After a rest, we bid goodbye to our muleteers and continue by bus to the archaeological site of Saywite. This represents a scale model carved by the Incas on a large boulder, showing all of the ecological systems that they knew of, each with their respective flora and fauna. We enjoy a delicious lunch in the company of this magical monument.